We applaud these groups and any group that seeks to protect kids by prodding
George to resign.

We have never and will never align ourselves with any group - liberal
or conservative. We are a self help group. We are a safe, independent,
confidential place for any victim or any victims' family to come and get
help. We welcome and support survivors who are staunch church-goers and
who are staunch atheists and everyone in between.

Still, we are grateful these two organizations are taking this brave step
today.

It's hard for any catholic to believe that a revered authority figure
like Cardinal George could be so reckless and duplicitous. It's especially
hard for devout, caring Catholics, who have been raised to deeply respect,
trust and honor church officials, to understand, acknowledge, and act
on this terribly tragic misbehavior by a Cardinal. So again, we appreciate
these two groups for caring enough about children and about their church
to speak out in this way.

We know so well the devastating pain and brokenness that results to victims
and family members when priests sexually abuse innocent children. We are
the victims who were raped and sodomized by catholic priests. Our families
lives have been deeply scarred. We know that Cardinal George has heard
and seems to understand the depth of devastation caused by such abuse.
Yet, under his leadership innocent children have been left at risk of
abuse. Whether the cause was ignorance, incompetence, irresponsibility
or reckless behavior is unclear and immaterial. The bottom line is that
Cardinal George has shown an inability to lead responsibly and with integrity.
In order to save our church and to protect innocent children Cardinal
George should step down immediately.

With the courageous statements by these groups today we hope Cardinal
George will do the right thing and resign as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese
of Chicago.